Grades and Grading Policy

Mid-Term Grades

Following the Academic Travel period, students at academic risk (i.e. mid-semester course progress is below average scholarship – “C-“or below) are issued a mid-term grade report.  Mid-term grades are unofficial and reflect only the student’s progress in a course at the middle of the semester. They serve to alert the student and his/her advisor to potential problems. These grades do not necessarily represent half of the final grade and are not calculated into the semester grade point average. In order to determine how specific requirements are weighed in calculating the final grade, students should consult the course syllabus or ask their professor.  

Incomplete Course Grade

A grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be assigned to students whose coursework has been satisfactory, but due to illness or extenuating circumstances are unable to complete the course. In order for students to be eligible for an “I” grade they must have completed at least 60% of the total required coursework (or made adequate progress in a senior thesis) with a grade of “C” or better. Students must provide their professor with information or documents that substantiate their reason for requesting an “I” grade and additional time to complete the coursework prior to the final grade deadline. The faculty member makes the final decision as to whether to grant an “I” grade; sets a deadline within a four-month period for the remaining coursework to be completed; provides this information to the student; and submits a signed Incomplete Grade Form to the Office of the Registrar.

If the remaining required coursework is not completed by the deadline set by the faculty member, a grade of “F” may be assigned. In any case, if the coursework has not been completed and the faculty member has not submitted a new grade or granted a deadline extension the “I” grade will revert to an “F” with the expiration of the four-month time period after the end of the semester in which the course was taken.

Students may request an extension of the faculty member’s original completion deadline for up to a maximum of four-months following the same procedures above. If the coursework has not been completed and the faculty member has not submitted a new grade, the “I” grade will revert to a final grade of “F” with the expiration of the extended deadline time period.

Students granted an extension for completing coursework (or a thesis) beyond an initial four-month time period and who are not currently registered during the extended deadline period will be assessed a Continuing Enrollment fee.  

Repeating a Course

A student who has received below a “C” in any course may repeat that course. When the course is repeated at Franklin College the original grade remains on the student’s transcript, credit for the original course will be voided, and the student’s cumulative GPA will reflect the grade of the second attempt. The grade received for the second attempt will be binding. If a failed course is repeated at another institution, the original grade remains unchanged. Because of the cumulative nature of the study of mathematics, it is strongly recommended that students repeat any courses in these fields for which they achieved grades of “D+” or below. Likewise, because of the cumulative nature of language study, students must receive a “C” or better in language courses in order to proceed to the next level. Students in the Academic Bridge Program must pass EAP 120 and EAP 125 EAP courses with a “C-” grade or better to proceed to the next level of the program (EAP 130). If a student does not receive a “C-” or better in either course he or she must repeat both courses.

Final Grades

A final grade report is issued to each student following the end of the semester. The Registrar will also notify the student and parents or guardians as defined above when the student has exhibited exceptional academic performance and has been named to the Dean’s List or if a student has demonstrated academic difficulty and is placed on probation or academic warning. Final grade reports are also sent to parents or guardians (see Student Privacy).

The grade point average is calculated on a scale from 4 to 0, with equivalent letter grades (“A” to “F”) being recorded on the student’s permanent record.  

Grading Points

Right to Appeal Final Grade Decisions

A student can appeal for a course grade change if the student feels that s/he can demonstrate either bias or prejudice or that the grade was given in an arbitrary or capricious fashion. The appeal must be in writing to the Dean of the Faculty under which the course is taught and must be submitted within two weeks of the issuing of the final course grade. In order for the appeal to be considered, the student must first contact the instructor of the course asking the instructor if there has been an error in the calculation of the final grade based on the criteria published in the course syllabus and ask for a break down of how the grades was arrived at. The student must include with his or her appeal the correspondence with the instructor. Based on the student’s written appeal, the Faculty Dean can decide to dismiss the appeal, to investigate further or to instruct the Registrar’s Office to change the student’s final grade. The decision of the Faculty Dean is final.

Transcripts

Official transcripts are available through the Registrar’s Office on campus. Students must make a request either via their MyFranklin online account or by submitting a request in writing with their authorizing signature. Students must supply the name and address of the person or institution to which the document should be sent. Transcripts will not be released if the student has an outstanding financial obligation to the College. Records are sent by regular airmail unless the student requests otherwise. The College does not take responsibility for the receipt of the transcript. There is no charge for transcripts sent by regular mail.

Student Privacy

Franklin College is in compliance with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended. The policy adopted by the College permits students to review their educational records and prohibits the disclosure of those records to a third party without the written consent of the student with the exception of parents or guardians of dependent students with whom the College reserves the right to communicate. All information belongs to the student and cannot be released without the permission of the student except in specific cases such as legally binding court orders.

As a small private college Franklin relies on a close relationship with the parents and guardians of enrolled students. Therefore, the College routinely corresponds with parents and designated individuals regarding the progress of students. This relationship is forged by Franklin’s assumption that students are viewed as dependents when a parent or guardian signs the Financial Responsibility Form during the admission process and/or the Declaration Form issued by Student Services when applying for a Swiss visa. When parents sign either or both of these forms students are authorizing the release of information to the designated sources.

Franklin College may also distribute the following information in appropriate situations without the student’s permission under the definition of Directory Information: student’s name, photograph, address, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, class level, major, minor, enrollment status, class rosters, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, previous educational agencies or institutions attended by the student, and participation in officially recognized campus activities.